The 2008-2009 series of ''Franchise/KamenRider'' and the ninth installment in the Heisei Era.

Across the years humanity has been menaced by the [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampire-esque]] Fangire. As a organization of hunters tries desperately to hold the line, 2008's main hope rests in Wataru Kurenai, a violinist with some very strange habits. His father [[DisappearedDad has disappeared]], leaving behind his magnum opus, the Bloody Rose violin. Whenever the strings of the Bloody Rose vibrate, Wataru is called to do battle using his [[HalfVampire half-Fangire heritage]] and his [[TransformationTrinket partner bat Kivat]] to transform into Kamen Rider Kiva.

The story is told in two time periods simultaneously, with events in the past [[MeanwhileInTheFuture directly affecting the present]]. In 2008, Wataru struggles with his legacy as Kiva while contending with the Wonderful Blue Sky Organization, humanity's defence against the Fangire. Of particular note are two members: Megumi Aso, a model by day and Fangire hunter by night who wishes to carry on her mother's legacy, and BountyHunter Keisuke Nago, the organization's top operative who wields the {{power|ed Armor}} of [[TheRival Kamen Rider IXA]] and a [[BerserkButton vengeful obsession]] with defeating Kiva.

Meanwhile in [[TheEighties 1986]], Wataru's father Otoya Kurenai waltzes through life while the Wonderful Blue Sky Organization struggles to fight off the Fangire threat. He falls for Yuri Aso, the organization's top operative who seeks [[YouKilledMyFather to avenge her mother's death]], and joins her in their fight. He soon comes into conflict with another new operative, a [[TheDrifter mysterious vagabond]] named Jiro, who is chosen to be the user of the Wonderful Blue Sky Organisation's newest weapon: the prototype IXA System.

-----!This series contains examples of:

* AbsurdlySharpBlade: Jiro in Garuru form, when consuming human souls, starts by ''cleaving their souls from their bodies with one swipe of his claws.''* AbusivePrecursors: The role of the Fangire King is to stem human progress by targeting its scientific advances.* AllJustADream: [[spoiler: The entire events of "Queen of the Castle in the Demon World".]]* AllThereInTheManual: The official backstory mentions thirteen Demon Races, yet we only ever see eight (Fangire, Kivat, Dran, Wolfen, Merman, Franken, Sagarc, and Legendorga). The setting information reveals the other five and their status:** Mermaid: A OneGenderRace resembling traditional mermaids, they have a symbiotic relationship with the Mermen in order to reproduce. They escaped the Fangires' purge, but were hunted extensively by humans in the 19th century, and with the near-extinction of the Mermen their numbers continue to dwindle.** Ghost: A race of beings who, due to their lack of corporeal form, can't interact with physical matter. They absorb Life Energy by inhaling it.** Gigant: A race of giants, all over 10 meters tall, with several sub-species like Cyclops and Yeti. [[spoiler:The 3WA from TheMovie [[KickTheDog captured several Yeti for experimentation]] [[PoweredByAForsakenChild in order to make]] [[AnIcePerson Kamen Rider Rey]].]] They've managed to avoid the Fangires' extinction quest.** Hobbit: The polar opposite of the Gigant, a race of 10-centimeter, dwarfen beings. Hobbits are pacifistic farmers who live in the woods and escaped extinction by [[TheQuisling surrendering and subordinating themselves to the Fangire]].** Goblin: A race of cruel creatures who eat the flesh of other intelligent beings and had nasty habits like collecting bones. In-fighting all but eliminated their race, a job completed by an army of Fangire lead by the Checkmate Four and the first King, who wielded the Saga Armor in battle.* AllYourPowersCombined: [=DoGaBaKi=] Form.** There's also ''Emperor'' [=DoGaBaKi=] Form in the Hyper Battle Video. Unfortunately, due to budget constraits, it looks a bit shit (it's VERY clearly just the original [=DoGaBaKi=] with Emperor Form's helmet, bracers, greaves, and cape).*** Which is a little odd and redundant, seeing as Emperor Form can already use all three Arms Monster weapons thanks to Tatsulot's Fever ability.* AlternateContinuity: The upcoming novel, which is a reimagination of the TV series, where Kiva is Wataru's Fangire form. With that, Kivat, Bassha and Dogga do not exist in this story. Meanwhile, Jiro/Garulu, who is in turn, a Fangire Hunter. Shizuka Nomura is an important character and actually does something to contribute to the plot. And Nago never befriends Wataru, who ends up as the final villain. * AlwaysChaoticEvil: Subverted in a few incidents with Fangires who just want to live normal lives and particularly with the Checkmate Four, who are more Lawful Evil.* AmnesiacDissonance: Wataru and Shizuka befriend a large, cheerful man who DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength, nicknaming him "Dai-chan" ("Mr. Big", essentially). When he recovers his memories, it turns out that [[spoiler:he's Rook, TheBrute of the Checkmate Four, who spends most of his time engaging in random acts of murder for fun.]]* AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle: invoked at the beginning of every ep, thanks to Kivat.--> ''"Minna, shiteru ka?"'' ("Everybody, did you know?")* [[spoiler:AndTheAdventureContinues]]* ApeShallNeverKillApe: Subverted to hell and back by Queen, whose purpose is to kill any Fangire who falls in love with a human; King, who is not above killing any Fangire who seeks to help human progress; and any Fangire attempting to kill Maya, past and present.* ArbitrarySkepticism: Nago scoffing the idea of spiritual mediums. Sadly, he's the one character who never witnessed [[spoiler:Otoya possessing Wataru.]]* ArrangedMarriage: Because Mio is [[spoiler:the 2008 incarnation of the Fangire Queen]], she is expected to marry Taiga [[spoiler:who is the Fangire King]]. She almost goes through with it too, but instead she [[spoiler:tries to kill him]] as she's not really in love with him.* TheArtifact: Bloody Rose and Wataru's original goal to build a violin equal or surpassing it.* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: Kamen Rider Arc in the movie, billed as the tallest Kamen Rider in history at 3.2m.** Ep. 41 combines this with ZergRush. [[spoiler:The thing is, they're ''all'' copies of Sagarc.]]* AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther: Otoya and Yuri get such a moment in episode 24.** Nago & Megumi also get one, as they are [[spoiler:married]] in the final episode.* BadassCape: Kiva Emperor Form and Dark Kiva.* BattleButler: Riki/Dogga, and the Arms Monsters in general. The Moose Fangire is this to Taiga. Interestingly, both cases are there to supplement some kind of ParentalAbandonment.* BattleCouple: Nago and Megumi, especially since the two [[spoiler:get hitched at the end of the show]]. Otoya and Yuri were this to an extent until Otoya fell in love with Maya.* BerserkButton: Literally. ''"BUTTON! MY BUTTON! MY BUTTON!"''* TheBerserker: Garulu Form lack's Wataru's hesitation and growls a lot white fighting, so can look like this. It actually happens when Bishop unseals Wataru's Fangire side and he turns on his friends.* BigDamnHeroes: Kengo gets such a moment in episode 19. [[spoiler:And upgrades to DynamicEntry in ep. 34.]]* BigEater: Megumi, who's ''supposed to be a model.'' Apparently she gets it from Yuri, who's shown taking up a 3000g eating challenge in ep. 12, and then going on ''amusement park rides'' - and it's ''Otoya'' who has trouble keeping it together.* BloodBrothers: Otoya and the Arms Monsters.* BookEnds: There's a Fangire attack occurring in a church in both the premiere, middle, and finale of the show.* BountyHunter: Nago's "real" job when he's not hunting Fangire.* BrattyHalfPint: Tatsulot to Kivat.* BulletCatch: Wataru is capable of this in his kiva form, however it ends up bein AwesomeButImpractical since Fangires don't use firearms.* BunnyEarsLawyer: Wataru may be a competent violin player and craftsman, but the materials he uses...* CassandraTruth: Yuri Aso is always being told these, such as "I'm actually 105 years old" and "Your boyfriend is actually a WolfMan who wants to use you to [[AdamAndEvePlot repopulate his race]]."** Possibly averted with Otoya, who doesn't seem to ''care'' that Maya claims to have known people from ''hundreds of years ago''.** Very early on in the series, Nago asks Wataru where Kiva went, and Wataru points to himself. Nago tells him to stop kidding around.* ChainedByFashion: Applies to Kiva, Arc, Rey, and 80s King* ChessMotif: The Checkmate Four, as noted by the name, all have Chess Motifs which fittingly refers to their roles. [[FridgeBrilliance For an]] [[GeniusBonus added bonus]], Rook's ImageSong fades into King's ImageSong, making the reference to Castling, a technique that can only be done by both the King and the Rook in which the King and the Rook move to each other's spots.* ClearMyName: all '08 Blue Sky agents in ep. 27 (Nago narrowly escapes though, kickstarting the plot).* ConspicuousCGI: Kiva's ride, the Machine Kiva, once the Bron Booster attachments go on - or get added on in postproduction, apparently. Especially conspicuous in a series with CGI dragon castles battling giant chandeliers smoothly every time.* CrossOver: In the movie ''Climax Deka'', ''Kiva'' was crossed over with ''[[Series/KamenRiderDenO Kamen Rider Den-O]]''. Or maybe it's the other way around because the ''Kiva'' characters have such a minor role. Happens again in ''Den-O'''s fourth movie, where the Arms Monsters get about five minutes of screentime, most of it while under possession by the Taros.* CurbstompBattle: Done rather epically in [[spoiler:the final fight against the revived King.]]* CutlassBetweenTheTeeth: Garulu Form's specialty.* DareToBeBadass: "Break The Chain" is essentially "get out and enjoy life" sung to sweet rock music; apt, given what [[{{Hikikomori}} Wataru]]'s like at the start of the series.* DarkIsNotEvil: [[spoiler:Dark Kiva, when used by Otoya and Taiga.]]* DarkReprise: Within the show's music, the song "Individual-System" is IXA's theme, singing of IXA as a hero. Then there's the Nago version, "Fight for Justice", which distorts the lyrics to suit Nago's single-minded mission. The inverse happens when the song is remixed again into "Don't lose yourself", sung by the new, friendlier Nago.** Subverted in that when "Fight for Justice" finally appears in the show, it's as [[ThemeMusicPowerUp Rising IXA's theme]] after Keisuke learned from Otoya how to be a better person* DeaderThanDead: While Kiva destroys a Fangire's body and Castle Dran absorbs its soul, IXA destroys both body and soul.** As do Queen and King. Kiva's [[SuperMode Emperor Form]] does the same; we can only assume he got to the point where he stopped caring. (Or rather, production got tired of doing it. There is no onscreen discussion of certain suits/forms having super-awesome fangire soul-exorcism powers that others lack - the "fangire soul leaves and Dran eats it" sequences just stop appearing after a while.)* DeadlyUpgrade: IXA's 1986 incarnation is rather unstable.** It is fatal for humans to become Dark Kiva, as [[spoiler:Otoya]] proves.* DeadpanSnarker: Kivat. ** There may be some [[Creator/TomokazuSugita typecasting]] going on [[LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya here.]]* DemonicPossession: Not quite demonic, but there's a two-episode arc where Otoya's spirit takes over Wataru's body. It doesn't seem to happen for any particular reason, other than to generate a CrowningMomentOfFunny as Kouji Seto pulls a credible impression of Kouhei Takeda and the normally sullen Wataru acts...well, like Otoya.** HilariousInHindsight: the whole incident parallels a similar incident in the first PiratesOfTheCaribbean, with Orlando Bloom's [[ThrowItIn deliberate]] impression of Captain Jack Sparrow.** Played straight in the case of Takashi Sugimura/Kamen Rider Arc* DemotedToExtra: Ramon/Basshaa kinda gets the short end of the stick. He is the only one of the Arms Monsters who doesn't get a character-specific arc or a Fever attack as part of Emperor Form. Even in ''Series/KamenRiderDecade,'' it continues, as when Kiva's powers are being used by Tsukasa, he uses Garulu and Dogga Forms to good effect, dons Basshaa, and... doesn't get off a single shot before being owned.* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: Kiva Form** The full name of the Zanvat Sword (Maō'''ken''' Zanbatto '''Sword''') includes both the Japanese and English terms, resulting in the translated name being Demon Imperial Sword Zanvat Sword.* DesignatedGirlFight: Not so much early in the season (Fangire are notably NOT a OneGenderRace), but after the Fangire Queen is revealed, most of the Fangire she eliminates for falling in love with humans are female. Ep. 42 takes this to its logical conclusion by having Yuri and Maya face off with a female Fangire acting as Castle Doran sentry.* DetachmentCombat: Fangires attack humans with ''flying teeth.''* {{Deuteragonist}}: Otoya* {{Dhampyr}}: [[spoiler: The title character]], who is half-Fangire.* DisappearedDad: Megumi's father is never mentioned, and we don't find out who it is.* DisneyDeath: [[spoiler:Shima, Maya]]* DistantFinale: [[spoiler:The '86 flashbacks in the latter half of #46 act as this ''for the 1986 era'', which is never revisited from that point on.]]* DistressedDamsel: Yuri, Mio, and [[spoiler:2008 Maya]] to some extent.* DoItYourselfThemeTune: After a fashion; Toei formed a "limited band" called TETRA-FANG to perform the battle themes for ''Kiva'', with Koji Seto (Wataru) as lead singer. This also applies to the remixes of IXA's theme Individual-System (sung by Keisuke Kato), and debatably to the songs on the Inherited-System album (sung by the primary users of the IXA System, including Otoya, Yuri, Megumi, and Jiro).* {{Dojikko}}: Mio* {{Dracula}}: Kiva or Dark Kiva?* DragonRider: Even better, a ''[[RealRobot robot]]'' dragon.* DramaticIrony: sometimes used to connect '86 and '08 events. And played straight when Taiga learns that Wataru's girlfriend is leaving him for someone without knowing that ''it's him''.* DreadfulMusician: In episode 9, Yuri's violin playing ''[[BrownNote can kill a whole pool of fish]].''* EarlyBirdCameo: Blink and you'll miss Nago in the OP ''from the first ep onwards.''* EasilyForgiven: Otoya winds up befriending all the Arms Monsters, even after [[spoiler:Jiro actually kidnapped Yuri.]]* ElementalPowers: Kiva's forms using the Arms Monsters each have one.** PlayingWithFire: [[color:blue:Garulu]] Form** MakingASplash: [[color:green:Basshaa]] Form** ShockAndAwe: [[color:purple:Dogga]] Form* EpicFail: ep. 28, when Wataru and Kengo are drafted into a shorthanded Blue Sky Organisation, and proceed to bumble dangerously during weapons practice. EpicFail ''with'' an EpicFlail, even.** Wataru as Nago's bounty-hunting understudy in ep. 32 goes as well as you'd expect it to.* EvilCounterpart: Dark Kiva is an inversion - he came first chronologically, and the modern Kiva is his ''good'' counterpart. * {{Expy}}: A very rare case of the Expy as a leading character. Otoya is clearly modelled on Ozaki of ''Den-O'', from the outfit to the hairdo ''to the VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry schtick'' [[spoiler:and perhaps AustinPowers]].** The Checkmate Four is what happens when you mix the [[Literature/{{Twilight}} Volturi]] with the [[Series/KamenRiderFaiz Lucky Clover]].** Mio is a lot like the main Rider, to the 'are they SeparatedAtBirth twins?' level, and they enjoy each other's company a lot but [[spoiler: it doesn't end well]]. [[Series/KamenRiderFaiz Where have we seen this before]]?** The dynamic between Kiva and Ixa is very similar to that between Manga/{{Zetman}} and Alphasz. They even have similar color schemes.*** It also resembles the dynamic between [[Series/KamenRiderAgito Agito and Gills]], with the SecondRider hating TheHero as a Rider being good friends with him in their human identities. [[spoiler:It even has the same resolution, with the Second Rider learning the Hero's identity and getting over his hatred.]]* ExtremeOmnivore: Rook, when still amnesiac, downs a whole pot of mushrooms and whatever Wataru was planning to use ''for his violin varnish.''* FakeBand: The Ikemens, featuring Kengo and Wataru. Though they did produce a cover of Wataru's battle theme ("Destiny's Play") for the ''Kiva'' soundtrack.** Though in the context of the show, Destiny's Play was an original song of Kengo's creation* FauxActionGirl: Megumi and her mother, Yuri ([[FridgeLogic whose attacks can even prolong Fangire lives for up to 22 years]]). [[spoiler:Though they both get a CrowningMomentOfAwesome in episode 31]].* FanService: The director's cut of TheMovie shows Otoya's butt during the bath scene.* FantasyKitchenSink: Vampires, [[OurDragonsAreDifferent European dragons]], werewolves, mermen, Frankenstein's monsters, ghosts, mummies, medusas, gargoyles... the list goes on and on.* FinishingMove: For the first time [[Series/KamenRiderRyuki in a while]], some of these involve StockFootage:** Kiva: Darkness Moon Break, Garulu Howling Slash, Basshaa Aqua Tornado, Dogga Thunder Slap, Emperor Moon Break, Emperor Howling Slash, Emperor Aqua Tornado (never shown), Emperor Thunder Slap, Final Zanvat Slash, Bloody Strike, [=DoGaBaKi=] Emperor Break.** [=IXA=]: Broken Fang, [=IXA=] Judgement, Final Rising Blast** Saga: Snaking Death Break** Dark Kiva: Darkness Hell Crash, King's Burst End, King's World End** Rey: Blizzard Claw Execution** Arc: Ultimate Dead End* ForegoneConclusion: Right from the beginning, we know that Yuri and Otoya end up dead. [[spoiler: [[SubvertedTrope Partially subverted]] in Yuri's case, as we never see her die or even find out what happened to her.]]* {{Foreshadowing}}: In #19-20, where Otoya [[DemonicPossession "borrows" Wataru's body from beyond the grave]], he mentions [[spoiler:Kivat the 2nd]], a character who shows up 18 episodes later. There's also the [[spoiler:Kivat-like silhouette ''in the '86 period'']] appearing at the end of #20.** Nago admits that [[spoiler:he does like Megumi ''as early as #4''. By the last episode, they're married.]]** Kengo's right hand is a bit sore after his BigDamnHeroes moment in #19. [[spoiler:In #28 he takes a GameBreakingInjury to that arm.]]** #32. Taiga can make someone back down with ''just a staredown.'' [[spoiler:Wataru starts spamming this when he takes the Fangire King rank for himself.]]*** This is also the reason we see Kiva adopting a SlouchOfVillainy in the OP.* ForgottenPhlebotinum: While the arms monsters aren't forgotten as characters, Kiva's form changes are mostly sidelined once Wataru earns Emperor Form. Similarly, the Fever attacks that involve connecting Tatsulot to the Arms monsters in weapon form are forgotten when the Zanvat Sword is introduced ([[DemotedToExtra before Bassha Fever even has a chance.]])** Not to mention Castle Doran, Shoo Doran, Buron Booster, etc.** Some powers were never even shown: IXA only ever used one of his three Fake Fuestles, and according to the official toy, the [=IXARiser=] has special codes called [=IXARiser=] Blast Commands, as well as a Scouter Search Mode, but these were never displayed in any official material.* FourIsDeath: The Checkmate Four** BigBad: King [[spoiler:Both timelines; he comes back]]** DarkChick: Queen** TheDragon[=/=]EvilGenius: Bishop** TheBrute: Rook* FrankensteinsMonster: Dogga is based on this.* FreudianTrio: The Arms Monsters.** Id: Jiro** Ego: Ramon** Superego: Riki* FromNobodyToNightmare: in TheMovie. An escaped convict, found sleeping in a dump early on, becomes ''Kamen Rider Arc.''* FunetikAksent: IXA. Or in its case "Fa-Ne-Ti-Ku A-Ku-Se-N-To."* FunWithAcronyms: IXA = Intercept X Attacker (which is a pun on ''ikusa'', meaning "war")* FurAgainstFang: Jiro (a Wolfen) fighting the Fangire in 1986.* GenerationalSaga: Split between 1986, when Otoya serves as the main protagonist, and 2008, with his son Wataru. * GeniusLoci: Castle Dran* GirlishPigtails: Yuri in the flashbacks to Rook killing her mother. Which look really {{Narm}}y considering she's like the Jane Lynch of Franchise/KamenRider.* GoodIsNotNice: Nago, [[spoiler:at least until he starts mellowing out in the second half of the series.]]* HalfHumanHybrid: [[spoiler:Wataru, although the hint is rather obvious whenever he begins his transformation sequence.]]* HammerSpace: ''Where does the IXA belt go?'' To complete the transformation, the IXA Knuckle must dock onto the belt, but many times, the Knuckle is stolen and the new user will be able to activate it - when he reaches down to complete the transformation, the belt is just ''there.'' The first few times IXA is used, we see the belt must be attached manually, so it's not one of the "Driver creates belt" cases (like Kiva himself, for example.)* HandsomeLech: Otoya* HeroicBSOD* {{Hikikomori}}: Wataru, who is so withdrawn in the first episode he might as well be. Sadly, after he got over it, [[spoiler:after having the worst case of HeroicBSOD in Rider history [[TenMinuteRetirement it happens again]].]]* HesBack: There are tons of moments late in the show, given how much [[HeroicBSOD of the trouble]] the heroes had to go through. One that springs to mind is [[spoiler: Nago returning as IXA in #40, complete with the episode title fitting that exact moment.]]* HopelessSuitor: Kengo.* HourOfPower: Kiva can only use [=DoGaBaKi=] form for five minutes.* HufflepuffHouse: The Rook position in the Checkmate Four. All of the other members have important roles in Fangire society. Rook just plays games all day. At one point he decides to do good deeds and then die so he can go to heaven, simply because he has nothing better to do.** Although no real purpose has been cited, he did seem to (mostly) wipe out the Wolfen at the very least (Possibly the Franken & Mermen too). It is possible that eliminating competing monster races was his job, and it's been accomplished.* HulkSpeak: Dogga* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: Episode names are in two parts to represent events in the past and present. Not to mention that the first part has some reference to music.* IdiotBall: [[spoiler:Bishop: "Hey Taiga, I thought that Mio was a crappy Queen and that she was making you act dumb, so I killed her and made it look like Kiva did it. Isn't that great?" * PUNCH TO THE FACE* ]]* TheIdiotFromOsaka: Kengo. [[ObfuscatingStupidity At first.]]* IDoNotDrinkWine: Invoked. Megumi takes to Taiga immediately, offering to buy him lunch, but he turns her down by claiming he "doesn't eat much".* IKEAWeaponry: Blue Sky agents are always issued with these, whether it's Yuri's two-part knife (which even becomes a WhipSword!) or Megumi's odd winged pistol (which somehow doubles as an EpicFlail).* InspectorJavert: Nago's shtick before he starts to mellow out.* InstantRunes: Dark Kiva's FinishingMove* InstitutionalApparel: Prison escapee Takashi Sugimura wears this for the entirety of the NonSerialMovie* InterspeciesRomance: Otoya Kurenai and Maya.* IronicEcho: between certain '86 and '08 events.* {{Jerkass}}: Keisuke "I hate music" Nago.** Also, Yuri Aso towards Otoya. No matter what he does to prove himself or how much he helps her, she calls him an idiot, beats him up and even leaves him to drown. What a jerk!*** [[spoiler:She gets better. As in she finally realizes Otoya loves her and moves in with him. Unfortunately, that doesn't last.]]* KarmaHoudini: Jirou faces absolutely no backlash for [[spoiler:kidnapping Yuri and trying to rape her]].* KidFromTheFuture: Wataru becomes one to Otoya when he travels back in time, and the Generation Xerox effect photocopies it all over again [[spoiler:when ''his'' son from 22 years in the future appears in the final episode.]]* KnightTemplar: It would probably be ''more'' accurate to re-name this article "The Keisuke Nago".* LargeHam: [[BlatantLies Certainly not Kivat-bat the 3rd.]]** Also, the Spider Fangire. ''Oh god,'' the Spider Fangire.** No mention of Keisuke Nago yet?! [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpmdxO8NPnE Just look at his exercise video for proof!]]** Megumi has her moments too. And special mention must be made of Kenji Matsuda, previously TheStoic in Series/KamenRiderHibiki, now spending exactly ''half'' the time flexing his comedic chops by playing up the wolfman behavior as Jiro.* LaserGuidedAmnesia: [[spoiler:Otoya]] in episode 25.** Rook in #15-16 too.* LastOfHisKind: Garulu, Basshaa and Dogga are the last of the Wolfen, Mermen and Franken races respectively.* LateArrivalSpoiler: No web page about Kiva fails to gleefully mention [[spoiler: Wataru's {{Dhampyr}} nature]] within the first two or three sentences, though in the show, Wataru's [[spoiler: mom being the Fangire Queen instead of the woman we thought it was]] for the first 20-some episodes was a huge revelation.* LifeEnergy: All humans have this, and the other races generally eat human life energy for sustenance, but it's not really clear on whether said other races have life energy of their own or not.* LightheartedRematch: [[spoiler:In the finale, Wataru and Taiga, who have been trying to have a fight to the death that Bishop kept interrupting for several episodes, have already made up and become loving half-brothers again. But they still want to fight, if only to fully get rid of their stress and bring them a bit closer together.]] Of course, how "close" they become is anyone's guess.* LiterallyShatteredLives: Any human killed by Fangires will become glass and shatter eventually. The Fangires themselves turn into glass when dying or killed, only difference is that they turn into stained glass.* LoveHurts Boy, does it ever in this series, especially when you take into consideration what happens to [[spoiler:Mio, Maya and Yuri]]. It SUCKS to love a Kurenai...* LoveTriangle (about three or four: Otoya/Yuri/Jiro, Taiga/Mio/Wataru, Otoya/Yuri/Maya and Otoya/Maya/King)* MagicFromTechnology: IXA's Fuestles seem to invoke this.* MeaningfulEcho: between certain '86 and '08 events, and once the '86 story is done with after #46, this takes place within '08 when [[spoiler:both Taiga and Nago find themselves about to lose everything they have.]]* MeaningfulName: Wataru ''Kurenai'' ("crimson" in Japanese), Riki (Dogga's human form, "power" in Japanese), Jiro (part of whose name means "wolf"), Bishop, King, Rook, Maya ("True Night"), "Kiva" using the katakana for "kiba" ("fang") and being a contraction of "'''Ki'''ng of '''Va'''mpires" according to WordOfGod.** Also, as Otoya himself points out early on, the first kanji in his name means "sound". Given that he's a musician, it fits.** The real names of the Arms Monsters are all onomatopoeia for sounds related to their forms: Garulu is the sould of a wolf howling, Basshaa is the sound of splashing, Dogga is the pounding of a hammer.* MeanwhileInTheFuture: The story is told in both 2008 and 1986 simultaneously. Time jumps are a common occurrence.* MediumAwareness: Once Tatsulot joins Kivat in the episode intros.--> "Who's Modigliani?" "Watch the first episode..."* MidSeasonUpgrade: [=DoGaBaKi=] Form* MisunderstoodLonerWithAHeartOfGold: Wataru at first, to the extent that people have been calling him [[GegegeNoKitaro 'Obaketarou'.]]* MonsterMash: This season's particular motif.* MoodWhiplash: #33. Going from [[spoiler:Yuri catching Otoya with Maya]] to Megumi complaining that she's gaining weight? Not cool.* MrFanservice: EVERY SINGLE MALE CAST MEMBER. Seriously. Even the 1986 KING has his fans.** And the producers knew it, too. Not for nothing is Wataru shown ''lying naked in a bed of roses'' during the opening sequence.* MuggleAndMagicalLoveTriangle: [[spoiler:Subverted, as at least one member is always LockedOutOfTheLoop.]]* MultiformBalance** Kiva: See this page's MythologyGag section below for how they line up with Kuuga's forms.*** JackOfAllStats: [[color:red:Kiva]] Form*** FragileSpeedster: [[color:blue:Garulu]] Form*** GlassCannon: [[color:green:Basshaa]] Form*** MightyGlacier: [[color:purple:Dogga]] Form*** LightningBruiser: [[color:purple:Do]][[color:blue:Ga]][[color:green:Ba]][[color:red:Ki]] Form*** SuperMode: [[color:gold:Emperor]] Form*** OneWingedAngel: [[color:crimson:Flight Style]]*** SerialEscalation: [[color:purple:Do]][[color:blue:Ga]][[color:green:Ba]][[color:red:Ki]] [[color:gold:Emperor]] Form** IXA*** StoneWall: Save Mode (1986 IXA's only mode)*** JackOfAllStats: Burst Mode*** SuperMode: Rising IXA* MysteriousParent* MythologyGag: Kiva's four standard forms correspond to each of Series/KamenRiderKuuga's forms:** Kiva Form: Mighty Form (red armored, bare-knuckle all-around fighter)** Garulu Form: Dragon Form (blue armored, speed-based melee form)** Basshaa Form: Pegasus Form (green armored long-range gunner)** Dogga Form: Titan Form (purple armored brute strength form with heavy weapon)** Emperor Form: Ultimate Form (gold armored SuperMode with the power to use all past forms' weapons (for Kuuga it's AllThereInTheManual) [[spoiler:and a dark counterpart (Dark Kiva and N-Daguba-Zeba respectively)]].)** Kiva also contains some nods to Series/KamenRiderAgito - Garulu and Basshaa Form are asymmetrical, just like Agito's Flame and Storm Forms, Garulu and Storm have their own set of similarities (blue, left-handed, melee fighter), and of course [=DoGaBaKi=] Form corresponds to Trinity Form, both being mish-mashes of their respective Riders' alternate forms and using AllYourPowersCombined-empowered Rider Kicks as their finishers.*** The origins of the four Riders in Kiva also mirrors that of the four Riders in Agito - Magic Based Primary Rider, Technology Based Second Rider, Incomplete version of the Primary Rider, Alternate Version of the Primary Rider.*** Lampshaded in [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Decade]] when Tsukasa gets into a fight with an AlternateUniverse Wataru, using each of Kuuga's forms to match up with their respective Kiva forms.** Also, the spider-monster in the first episode, who's an AscendedExtra of sorts this season.** Rising IXA's TransformationTrinket pops out of the mouthpiece, possibly a tribute to Series/KamenRiderX.*** IXA's weapon works ''just'' like [[Series/KamenRiderFaiz Kaixa's]] (a plus shaped weapon that changes from a gun to a sword), they both have a phone TransformationTrinket (although to be fair, IXA's phone is for his most powerful form), and just look at their names! Not to mention that the one who uses it the longest is... [[AxCrazy not all]] [[KnightTemplar there.]]*** Even better, Saga's belt copies the spinning hub and rod in the side from X's belt.** At the end of TheMovie, there is a shot of a bunch of mascot costumes goofing around, four of which were the same ones the Taros wear in one of ''Den-O's'' own movies, Final Countdown. The one wearing Momotaros's dog costume was even holding a sign that reads "Yakisoba [[CatchPhrase Sanjou]]!".** Taiga's costume of a white jacket and a black glove on one hand resembles what Minami Kotaro wears in Series/KamenRiderBlackRX: a white jacket and a white glove on one hand.* NeverLiveItDown: In-universe. Kiva's been branded by the Blue Sky group as an enemy of humanity, but we don't learn till much later that this was all because of Dark Kiva's actions in the past.* TheNicknamer: Kivat III called Megumi "Modigliani-neechan"[[note]][[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amedeo_Modigliani Amedeo Modigliani]], an artist known for elongated portraits particularly around the neck area, [[spoiler:which sort of highlights Wataru's true nature as a {{Dhampyr}}, and [[FridgeBrilliance because vampires always bite the necks of their victims.]]]][[/note]] in the beginning.* NoblewomansLaugh: Shizuka does it during her {{Yandere}} attempts to break up Wataru and Mio...and then again during her attempts to patch them up.* NonHumanSidekick (Kivat the Second, Third and Tatsulot)* NonSerialMovie: ''King of Hell Castle'' can't fit within the series' continuity and is never referenced again, but it explains where [[spoiler:Kiva Flight Style]] comes from.** Actually, I think it's implied that Flight Style is Wataru's Fangire form. Dragon Fangire anyone?** Additionally, powerful Fangire souls can become massive chandelier-like creatures called Sabbats if not dealt with properly.* NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup: Sort of averted with IXA (the prototype exists in 1986), but the fact is that there is only one IXA System in existance.** Nope, turns out that the 86 model and the 08 model are different units.* NotSoInvincibleAfterAll: In 1986, Rook is a wrecking machine, powerful enough to curbstomp Otoya, Jiro, Riki, and Ramon effortlessly. But all of that comes to an end when he's tricked into using the IXA Knuckle himself, going through a world of hurt when the suit starts acting up on him and [[WhosLaughingNow leaving him at the mercy of the guys he'd previously kicked the crap out of.]]* ObfuscatingStupidity: Otoya Kurenai* OminousLatinChanting: Queen/Maya gets her own backing choir.** As does Bishop--considering the imagery associated with bishop, understandable.** Don't forget Taiga.* OneHourWorkWeek: Taiga and D&P.* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: It's not until Episode 10 that a Fangire is killed by someone other than Kiva, and not until Episode 11 that a Fangire dies in 1986. Most of the time, a Fangire in 1986 can be expected to live till 2008 (sometimes beyond). Of course, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero without Castle Doran around to consume the Fangire energy, the likelihood of Sabbat appearances is higher...]]** Also, Nago feels this way about Kiva. At first.* OrgasmicallyDelicious: Jiro's reaction to Kido's coffee.* OurVampiresAreDifferent: they're made of stained glass and resemble dozens of animals (and plants) that aren't bats.* OurDragonsAreDifferent: they tend to either be castles, windmills, or wrist-mounted powerup items.* PaletteSwap: [[spoiler:Maya]] and [[spoiler:Mio]] basically have the same Fangire form, but in red and blue respectively (which dips into RedOniBlueOni at the same time - [[spoiler:Maya, bubbly and lively; Mio, quiet and introverted.]])** The Bear Fangire in ep. 24 is recolored into a polar bear for ep. 44.* ParentalAbandonment: Wataru's mother [[spoiler: left him alone to raise himself]]; we're left to assume that Kivat III and the Arms Monsters played a major part here.** We only see Nago's dad once in a flashback ([[spoiler:and it's hinted that Nago drove his father to death]]). Nago's mother is never mentioned.** Kengo talks about his parents but they never appear. [[spoiler:The fact that he's not really from Osaka doesn't rule out the idea that ''they are'', and presumably still living there.]]** Same with Shizuka, though it's assumed she lives her mother ([[spoiler:even though we never see her]]).* PietaPlagiarism: How Riki in Dogga form consumes souls.* PlugNPlayTechnology: Fuestles, played straighter with IXA than with the other riders* PoorCommunicationKills: Uses a formula similar to ''[[Series/KamenRiderAgito Agito]]'', with similar results. Nago hates Kiva, thinking that he's an even greater threat than the Fangire. He likes Wataru because of the young man's honesty and innocence. Wataru is aware that Nago is IXA, but the same isn't true in reverse. One episode ends with a CliffHanger where Nago witnesses Kiva de-transforming into Wataru, with a feeling of "OhCrap" hanging in the air...in the next episode, however, they have a calm discussion, and Nago says he's glad that the power of Kiva is in good hands. It doesn't go so well for ''other'' parties, but that's another trope entirely.* PowerGivesYouWings: Played straight and mixed with HotWings when Kamen Rider Arc transforms into his power-up form, Legend Arc** Also applies to Kiva Flight Style* PowerLimiter: The chains on Kiva's armor.* ThePowerOfRock: Kengo is the non-magical epitome of this. [[spoiler:At least initially.]]* PowerupLetdown: Rising IXA, whose power level is wildly un-calibrated on its first use.* PsychopathicManchild: Ryo Itoya/Spider Fangire, whose [[HandPuppet puppet-glove]] insanity reaches {{Narm}} status at times.** Ramon is rather bloodthirsty (including once suggesting that he, Jiro, and Riki kill Wataru to release them of their contract), given that he looks and sounds like a kid.* PsychoticSmirk: Nago gets one in episode 26 after he fakes some tears in order to keep IXA.* PunnyName: Every rider from the series has this to one degree or another degree.** Kiva is a pun on "kiba"(fang)** IXA is a pun of "ikusa"(war)** Saga's name's last syllable is a pun on "Ga"(a kanji that means fang, and the same Ga that's the first kanji of Gaoh's name)** Dark Kiva's is more of a play on words, since in the show, he's referred to as "Yami no Kiba"(which could mean "Dark Kiva" or "Fang of Darkness")** Arc is a pun on "aku"(evil)** Rey is a pun on "rei"(cold)** [[Creator/ToshihikoSeki Toshihiko]] [[Series/KamenRiderDenO Seki]] plays a prison guard named "Sanjo" in TheMovie. When asked his name, he responds "Ore? Sanjo!"* RealLifeWritesThePlot: Emperor Form [[SpotlightStealingSquad stealing the spotlight]] from Kiva's other four forms was entirely a pragmatic move; the original Kiva costume was reportedly so heavy that suit actor Seiji Takaiwa had a difficult time wearing it, almost dying because of its weight at one point. After that, the much lighter Emperor Form costume effectively became Kiva's default form.* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Ramon/Basshaa is 105 years old (127 in '08), yet looks like a 13-year old boy when he's not in Rubber Suit form.** Although, it should be noted that the actor they hired to play him was 13-14 at the time...** And acts like a six-year-old girl.** It's only implied for the more powerful Fangires, but Maya actually brings up things that she did ''hundreds of years ago.''* RealMenWearPink: Rook has a pronounced SweetTooth.** Jiro [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike and the cafe owner]] are fans of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyanko_Club Onyanko Club]] (though in Jiro's case you get the idea that it's all part of his act)* RearrangeTheSong: IXA's battle theme, "Individual-System", has two remixes sung by Nago's actor: "Fight for Justice" reflecting his KnightTemplar attitude, and "Don't Lose Yourself" after he mellows out.** The Re-Union album, released in 2009, includes more remixes, including Wataru's version of his father's "This Love Never Ends", Otoya's version of his son's "Supernova", and an acoustic version of "Roots of the King" sung by both Wataru and Taiga.* ReCut: Recently [[http://twitter.com/tackangel a fan with some spare time on his hands]] began to take clips from the episodes and turn the show into "Kamen Rider ''[[POVSequel IXA]]''", first focusing entirely on the 1986 plot and with plans to then tackle the 2008 plot, focusing more on Nago and Megumi, although it will still feature Wataru and the others.* RegalRinglets: Megumi tends to wear this hairstyle often.* RememberTheNewGuy: ep. 27, the first time Taiga is ever mentioned.* TheReveal: [[spoiler:Wataru finds out his mother's a Fangire, Taiga is his half-brother, and that he is a half-Fangire.]]** [[spoiler:Also, Bishop reveals that he was the one who killed Mio in order to protect Taiga. Too bad Taiga didn't agree with his method of thinking.]]* TheRival: Keisuke Nago* RoboSpeak: The IXA belt speaks in a very syllabic, monotone style. In GratuitousEnglish.* RomanticFalseLead: Taiga is a combination of a False Lead and a HopelessSuitor.* ScrewDestiny: [[spoiler:Mio]] rejects her destiny as 2008's Queen. [[spoiler:[[YouCantFightFate At first]]]].** On the other hand, [[spoiler:Wataru's destiny, Maya's end status, and Taiga's overall plan for the Fangire race]] all seem to pull this off.* SealedEvilInACan: [[spoiler:Wataru himself, when Bishop "awakens" his Fangire blood, turning him into something of an Emperor [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Fury Form]].]]** Played straight with Kamen Rider Arc, whose spirit was sealed away long ago by a past Kiva before being released.** The Arms Monsters in '08.* SecretIdentity: For most of the series, nobody knows Wataru is Kiva except for Kivat and Shizuka. This is very unusual for a Kamen Rider show, since they usually take the route of "Oh, you regularly transform into an armoured bug-man. [[UnusuallyUninterestingSight How 'bout that.]]"* SelfMadeOrphan: an infant Taiga finishes off his father and later [[spoiler:seemingly]] does the same to his mother. [[spoiler: He actually just punches her with the hilt of the sword.]]* ShipperOnDeck: Megumi clearly ships Mio and Wataru, as she tries her best to get them together. Shizuka, on the other hand...* SiblingTriangle: Wataru, Taiga and Mio.* ShoutOut: Otoya performs Rider-1's henshin pose when he transforms into IXA.** IXA going into his SuperMode Rising IXA looks suspiciously like [[Series/KamenRiderKabuto the Cast Off sequence.]]** Megumi and Yuri Aso share a last name with Film/KamenRiderZO.** Riki in Franken form really goes the extra mile to reference the classic ''Film/{{Frankenstein|1931}}''. Not just the PietaPlagiarism in #21, but he does it beside a river, and there's a flower in his lapel just because.** The Warthog Fangire shows up in a NiceHat and poncho... [[Film/DollarsTrilogy but does he have no name?]]** Kivat actually says "[[Series/EngineSentaiGoOnger Mach speed!]]" in #32. (This is actually in line with the appearance of the Ginjiro in the {{Omake}} segments promoting TheMovie.)** Saga's FinishingMove may remind some of Rolento from ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha''.** Shirtless demonic-looking Wataru from the ''King of Hells' Castle'' promotional material ([[TrailersAlwaysLie and only in the promotional material]]) may well be a tip of the hat to the TropeCodifier for half-human demonic heroes, ''{{Devilman}}''.** TroubledButCute hero with ParentalAbandonment in the present while his more easygoing dad had adventures in the past? [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Seen it.]]** Both generations of Aso women use weapons with a whip/flail form to fight vampires. Maybe the Aso family is an offshoot of the [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Belmont clan]]?* SnakesAreEvil: It's ''very'' strongly implied that Taiga is the Snake/Cobra Fangire, as seen with the cobra theme to Saga and Sagarc, as well as his ability to summon a shadowy mass of vipers or a giant feathered serpent named Kukulkan. [[spoiler:Ultimately subverted, as Taiga isn't actually evil and ends up trying to help humans and Fangire live together in peace.]]* StarCrossedLovers (Shinji/Ryouko, Mio/Wataru, Maya/Otoya. Most Fangire/human relationships end up like this due to the role of the Fangire Queen.)* StealthPun: A rather clever one in the form of the Rhinoceros Fangire. His human disguise was a talent scout. Sai is Japanese for both Rhinoceros and Talent.* SuicideByCop: [[TragicMonster Bear Fangire]] in ep. 24.* SuperSpeed: Garulu Form* TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat: The first episode plays this trope sillier than usual with Wataru communicating via pre-written messages in a spiral-bound notebook. When Megumi remarks "[[LampshadeHanging You can't possibly have every response you need in there!]]", Wataru immediately starts hunting through it for the proper response; when she starts trying to forcibly remove his heavy clothing, the camera briefly flashes to the notebook, which has fallen open on a page reading "Somebody please stop her!"* ThemeMusicPowerUp: "Supernova", [[SuperMode Emperor Form's]] theme song, sung by Wataru's actor Koji Seto and composed by Naoki Maeda of ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' fame. Qualifies as CrowningMusicOfAwesome.* ThoseTwoGuys: Or rather, ''That One Girl'': Shizuka.** And to some extent, Akira Kido.* TimePassesMontage* TimeTravel: A door in Castle Doran allows travel between 1986 and 2008.* TinyGuyHugeGirl: Otoya and Yuri.* TokenEvilTeammate: Jiro, Riki, and Ramon in 1986. They're no allies to the Fangires, but they still eat humans to survive and Jiro [[MurderTheHypotenuse occasionally attempts to kill Otoya]].* TookALevelInBadass: [[spoiler:After losing his ability to play guitar, Kengo returns as a soldier and kicks Nago in the face. More than once.]]** Though it's more like TookALevelInJerkass.*** In the end, though [[spoiler:he apologizes to them for being such a jerk]]** Wataru also does a rather impressive example of this near the end of the series. He's able to scare off Fangire ''just by glaring at them.''*** Also, at the end of the events in 47, [[spoiler:Wataru overthrows Taiga and takes the throne of King and looks incredibly badass doing it all]].* TragicMonster: Quite a few, like Frog Fangire from #9-10. The Arms Monsters could count, except they're taking being the LastOfTheirKind quite well.* TransformationSequence: Kamen Rider hasn't used these in [[Series/KamenRiderBlackRX a long time]], but this series has a stock footage transformation sequence for form-changing and 1986 Dark Kiva's transformation.* {{Tsundere}}: Yuri. Just...Yuri.* TwoGuysAndAGirl: Yuri, Otoya and Jiro. [[spoiler: Also Wataru, Mio and Taiga.]] * UnEntendre: In one episode, Otoya, Riki, Jiro, Yuri, and two random girls have a triple date. At one point, Riki's date steps out to freshen up; he follows and [[OurSoulsAreDifferent eats her soul]]. After he returns and everyone asks where she went, he replies "I ate her". The others all exclaim "that was quick!" and congratulate him.** In this case everyone barring Jiro is thinking that he did something sex-related, Jiro being the only person thus far who actually knows Riki is [[spoiler:Dogga, and ate her life force.]]* TheUnintelligible: Sagarc, which speaks the long-forgotten Fangire language.* UnresolvedSexualTension: Wataru and Mio.* VampiricDraining: The Fangire, and indeed most of the Demon Races.* VillainousBreakdown: Jiro in episode 24.* VisualPun: The first time we see the Fangire King [[spoiler:Taiga]] bleeding, his [[AlienBlood blood]] is [[BlueBlood blue.]]** We got one ''way'' before that. Before he became the SecondRider, Keisuke Nago was a BountyHunter who would capture criminals. As a memento, he would tear a button from their shirt every time he caught one. When one of them taunted him by sewing his button on so tightly that it couldn't be removed that easily, it caused him to undergo some SanitySlippage before he went on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge. In other words, it was his BerserkButton.* VoluntaryShapeshifting: All Fangire, and presumably all Demon Races, can assume human form.* WeaponOfChoice** Kiva*** Kiva Form: BareFistedMonk*** Garulu Form: CoolSword*** Basshaa Form: {{Handguns}}*** Dogga Form: DropTheHammer*** Emperor Form: InfinityPlusOneSword** [=IXA=]*** 1986 version: PowerFist*** 2008 version: SwissArmyWeapon*** Rising IXA: [[SwordAndGun Sword and]] GunsAkimbo** Saga: WhipSword** Dark Kiva: InstantRunes [[spoiler: and Saga's WhipSword when used by Taiga]].** Rey: WolverineClaws** Arc: AttackOfThe50FootWhatever; His actual weapon, a [[BladeOnAStick trident]], only appears in the Director's Cut of the film.* WeddingSmashers: Unlike [[Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger Hikaru and Urara]], the happy couple actually gets to kiss, but a battle breaks out nonetheless.** And earlier, [[spoiler:Mio]] crashes her own wedding by [[spoiler:stabbing Taiga in the gut.]]* WhamEpisode: Of the Wham Arc variant: The ramifications of Wataru, Taiga and Mio [[spoiler:learning that they're Kiva, Saga and the Fangire Queen]] are spread over several eps, with Wataru [[spoiler:revealing everything to the Blue Sky group]] as well. After Shima asking Wataru to help the Blue Sky Group and Taiga asking Wataru to [[spoiler:[[WeCanRuleTogether join his side and lead the Fangires]],]] there's nothing quite like Mio asking him sweetly to [[spoiler:[[DissonantSerenity kill Taiga]].]]* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Maya wishes to know why so many Fangire fall in love with humans.** [[spoiler:Which leads to her and Otoya faling in love and making a violin together.]]* WhyDiditHaveToBeSnakes: Yuri and [[WeaksauceWeakness puppies.]]* WolfMan: Jiro/Garulu* TheWorfEffect: Invoked. [[TheBrute Riki]] gets the idea to expose Maya as a Fangire by attacking her - and gets curbstomped for his troubles.* {{Yandere}}: [[OutOfCharacterMoment Briefly]], Shizuka, in her attempts to mess up Mio and Wataru's relationship.** Mio slowly developed subtle elements of this.** [[spoiler:As does Bishop with Taiga.]]----